Op petersburg



(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 1.

O. N. ROMAINE.

TRUNK.

No. 474,148. Patented May a, 1892.

Suva/14 606 E331 ablio'omm 2 H N I m M m T N Patented May 3, 189.2.

All/l/ll/A WM M I I m 1 I I 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 I I z I I I 1 1 1 1 1 z I 1 1 1 I 1 I I 1 I I I 1 I I I I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I M m m m n n UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES NICHOLS ROMAINE, OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA.

TRUNK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 474,148, dated May 3, 1892. Application filed December 18, 1891. Serial No. 415,261. (llo model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES NICHOLS Ro- MAINE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Petersburg, in the county of Dinwiddie and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Trunks, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide convenient and immediate access to any part of a trunk, both in packing and unpacking the contents, without the necessity of lifting or removing the upper trays in order to reach the lower ones, to dispense with the fatiguing necessity of stooping in packing and unpacking the same, and to provide for this purpose a simple device which can be applied to the body of the ordinary trunk now in use.

My invention consists of an independent frame sliding within the trunk-body and having a lifting device connecting it with the trunk-top in such wise that on opening of the top the frame is automatically lifted clear of the body and is lowered again when the top is closed. The frame may be divided into compartments accessible from the side and fixed or movable, as the case may be, and a suitable catch is provided to hold the frame in the raised position.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an ordinary trunk with my elevator attachment. Fig. 2 is a top view, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of the same.

A is an ordinary trunk-body.

B is the trunk-top.

C is a frame fitting within the body A and sliding vertically in the same.

D is a guide secured to the frame and traveling in the guideway E, attached to the end of the body.

F is a strap, rope,or chain attached at one extremity to the bottom of the frame 0, passing over the pulley G, secured to the top of the body A and having its other extremity,

fastened to the trunk-top B at a point 011 the top, the distance of which from the pulley G shall be when opened equal to the depth of the trunk and the length of the strap.

H is a catch pivoted to the trunk-top B and engaging with the pin h on the body to hold the trunk open. In Figs. 2 and 3 a similar strap and pulley are shown at the other end of the trunk. On releasing the catch H and closing the trunk-top B the frame 0 descends into the body A, and on opening the trunktop the frame Crises until its bottom is flush with the top of the body A. where it is held by the catch H.

In the drawings I have shown the frame 0 provided with removable sliding trays I I and hat-boxes K K; but these may be greatly varied both in arrangement, number, and operation without departing from the spirit of my invention. I have also shown a form of guide D and guideway E; but I do not limit myself to the same, as they can be dispensed with and the body A itself serve as a guide to the frame. Neither do I limit myself to any particular form of catch nor to its attachment to the trunk-top, provided that it be so located as to lock the frame 0 from descending when it has been raised by lifting the trunk-top. It is evident that where the trunk is small a single pulley and strap attached as described will be sufficient to lift the frame; but I prefer to use one at each end, as shown in the drawings.

I do not limit myself to the particular details of the elevating device nor to its application to trunks alone, as it is applicable to any case or body having a hinged top; but,

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a case,a hinged top, a vertically-movable frame adapted to contain compartments and occupying the entire interior of said case, a pulley attached to the side of said case, and a flexible strap attached to the frame and to the hinged top and passing over said pulley, whereby said frame is automatically lifted and lowered vertically in said case by the opening and closing of the hinged top, as described.

2. The combination of a case, a hinged top, a vertically-movable frame adapted to contain compartments and occupying the entire interior of said case, a suitable guide between said frame and case, a pulley attached to the side of said case, and a flexible strap passing over said pulley and attached to the hinged top and to the frame, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a case, a hinged top, a vertically-movable frame occupying the entire interior of said case, sliding drawers in said frame, a pulley attached to the side of said case, and a flexible strap passing over said pulley and attached to the hinged top and t0 the frame, Wherebythe entire contents of the case is automatically raised and lowered and the drawers rendered accessible by the opening and closing of the hinged top, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a case, a hinged top, a Vertically-movable frame occupying the entire interior of said case, compartments in said frame rendered accessible by the lifting of the frame, a pulley attached to the side of said case, a strap passing over said pulley and attached to the hinged top and to the frame, whereby the frame is raised and lowered, and a catch to lock'the frame from descending, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHAS. NICHOLS ROMAINE.

Witnesses:

J NO. BOLLING BLAND, R. W. DE HAVEN. 

